I thought I wanted to be a patent attorney, but my path changed. – San Diego Union-Tribune

When I entered law school, I envisioned a future in patent law, fueled by my experience as a research biologist. Little did I know that a single experience would completely change my path.

When I enrolled at California Western School of Law in 2020, I had no plans to join the New Media Rights Clinic. My path took an unexpected turn during a clerkship with the Honorable Judge Karen Crawford.

She suggested I attend a panel on privacy laws and I was instantly captivated. Privacy laws are dynamic, fast-paced, and ever-changing. It’s not just about legal precedents; it’s about protecting personal data and privacy rights in a digital world, especially for women. I felt an immediate connection to this field and knew I had to change my career plans.

That’s when I found the New Media Rights Clinic.

The New Media Rights Clinic at California Western School of Law not only introduced me to the fascinating world of privacy law, but it also sparked a passion I never knew existed. Dedicated to helping creators and innovators navigate legal challenges, this clinic became a cornerstone of my legal education and transformed my career path in the most unexpected and rewarding way.

California Western has multiple legal clinics, but the New Media Rights Clinic is unique. While all of them provide free legal services to the community, the New Media Rights Clinic is specifically dedicated to serving creators, entrepreneurs, and innovators. Not only does the clinic help these individuals navigate their legal challenges, but it also offers students invaluable hands-on experience.

Under the direction of Art Neill and Erika Lee, the clinic’s executive director and deputy director, I dove headfirst into real-world legal work, which was both exciting and deeply rewarding. One of my first projects was helping a local children’s author who had been dreaming for years of inspiring young readers. She finally got her big break with the chance to publish her book, and we helped her draft a contract that would protect her rights and ensure her dream could shine brightly.

But that wasn’t all. My clinic partner and I also helped an aspiring filmmaker who wanted to commemorate her heritage and culture. Her goal was to share her community’s stories with the world through a documentary. Thanks to the contracts we drew up, she was able to use archival footage from the community interviews, bringing her vision to life and preserving her cultural legacy for others to appreciate.

Every day at the clinic was filled with new challenges, from answering clients’ questions about their legal rights to navigating the intricate maze of privacy regulations. The work was stimulating and reaffirmed my passion for privacy law. The ever-evolving landscape of privacy regulations kept me on my toes, pushing me to stay informed and continually learn. Privacy law became more than just a career choice; it became a cause I cared deeply about.

More than anything, my time at the New Media Rights Clinic taught me how to be a lawyer and a lifelong learner. Art and Erika emphasized the importance of continuous learning and adapting to new information. They taught me to approach each client with empathy, to listen actively, and to communicate clearly. Our clients trusted us to help them achieve their dreams, whether they were authors, documentary filmmakers, or entrepreneurs. Providing them with the best legal guidance possible was both a responsibility and a privilege.

Graduating from California Western School of Law and passing the bar exam were important milestones, but it was the New Media Rights Clinic that truly made me a lawyer.

Hsu graduated from California Western School of Law in the spring of 2023. She is currently a senior privacy compliance analyst for Pacific Life and lives in Newport Beach.

Originally published: August 9, 2024 at 6:10 am